Internal combustion engine with integrated connectivity  device

ABSTRACT

A power tool is provided. The power tool includes an internal combustion engine and an integrated device coupled to the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes a flywheel or another rotating component. The integrated device is coupled adjacent to either the flywheel or a rotating component. The integrated device includes a printed circuit board with a wireless communications module and a power generation portion which receives power wirelessly from the internal combustion engine only when the internal combustion engine is operating.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority to andthe benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/156,094, filed Oct. 10, 2018, for INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WITHWIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE which is hereby incorporated by referenceand is assigned to the assignee of the present application. Further,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/156,094 is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/113,653 filed on Aug. 27, 2018 andis also expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to integrated devices, and moreparticularly, to internal combustion engines that include wirelessconnectivity and communications technology.

As the use of wireless communications technology, such as Internet ofThings (IoT) technology is becoming more common for use in cooperationwith power equipment, at least some known manufacturers have attemptedto commercialize equipment using the technology. For example, at leastsome riding lawn mowers include a built-in meter in its instrument panelthat includes Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Such meters transmitusage information to a remote device or to a cloud-based database.Although reliable, such wireless communications systems are generallyonly available on larger equipment, as such systems require a batteryand a charging system.

At least some other known riding mowers include a pass-through ignitionswitch connector. The ignition switch connector includes a main powercircuit and a switched power circuit. The wireless communications deviceon such equipment uses the power circuit as a power source and uses theswitched power circuit to determine whether the equipment is operating.Operating or usage data is transmitted via Bluetooth wirelessconnectivity to a remote device or to a cloud-based database. Again,such wireless communications systems are generally only available onlarger equipment as such systems require multiple power circuits, abattery, and a charging system.

In an effort to incorporate wireless communications technology onsmaller equipment, at least some manufacturers include a communicationsaccessory that is coupled to the equipment, generally as a stick-ondevice, that acts as a Bluetooth-enabled hour meter. Specifically, suchdevices determine the engine is operating using an accelerometer tosense vibration. The information is transmitted to a remote device.Although, marketable, the use of such wireless communicationsaccessories may be limited as the battery in such devices may requirefrequent replacement and/or the accelerometer may be prone to errorsand/or accidental activation, such as when the mower is transported fromone location to another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a power tool is provided. The power tool includes aninternal combustion engine and an integrated device coupled to theinternal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine includes aflywheel with a magnetic portion. The integrated device is coupledadjacent to the flywheel. The integrated device receives powerwirelessly from the internal combustion engine when the internalcombustion engine is operating.

In another aspect, an internal combustion engine assembly is provided.The internal combustion engine assembly includes an ignition coilassembly comprising an integrated device coupled thereto. The integrateddevice is coupled to the ignition coil assembly, such that theintegrated device receives power wirelessly from the internal combustionengine assembly when the internal combustion engine assembly isoperating.

In a further aspect, a power tool is provided. The power tool includesan internal combustion engine assembly and a source of a magnetic field.The power tool includes an integrated device with a printed circuitboard having a power generation portion to harvest energy wirelesslyfrom the source of magnetic field only when the internal combustionengine assembly is operating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary walk-behind lawnmower.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary internal combustion engineassembly that may be used with the lawnmower shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway top view of the internal combustion engineassembly with an integrated device installed in a recessed area.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the internal combustion engine assemblyshown in FIG. 2 with the top cover removed and the integrated deviceinstalled.

FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of a portion of the internalcombustion engine assembly with the integrated device installed in analternative location.

FIG. 6 is front view of an exemplary integrated device that may be usedwith the internal combustion engine assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the integrated device shown in FIG. 6with a pole piece installed.

FIG. 8 is partial cutaway view of the power generation portion of theintegrated device.

FIG. 9 is front view of an alternative integrated device that may beused with the lawnmower shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the power generation portion of theintegrated device shown in FIG. 9 with a pole piece installed.

FIG. 11 is a perspective schematic view of a portion of an integrateddevice that may be used with the internal combustion engine shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 12 is a perspective schematic view of a portion of an ignition coilassembly that may be used with the internal combustion engine shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 13 is a perspective schematic view of a portion of an alternativeignition coil assembly that may be used with the internal combustionengine shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to power tools, includingwalk-behind lawnmowers, which include an internal combustion engineassembly including an integrated device capable of wirelesscommunication, such as, but not limited to Internet of Things (IoT)technology. In some embodiments, the wireless communications device isreceived in a recessed portion of a cover coupled to an internalcombustion engine. In some embodiments the cover is fabricated from amagnetically non-permeable material, such as, but not limited to, anon-magnetic material such as plastic for example. In eachimplementation, the internal combustion engine includes a flywheel witha magnetic portion and an integrated device coupled within a cavitydefined by the cover. The integrated device includes a printed circuitboard with a power generation portion that harvests energy from theinternal combustion engine to power its wireless communication modulewhich transmits operating data without being coupled to a battery.

The embodiments described herein are exemplary and are not limited tothe descriptions provided. For example, although described inconjunction with a lawnmower, the invention described herein is notlimited for use with a lawnmower, and may be instead used with otherpower tools or power equipment that include an internal combustionengine, such as, but not limited to, snow blowers, leaf blowers,pressure washers, string trimmers, brush cutters, generators, chainsaws,water pumps, go-karts, plate compactors, tampers, powered augers, fans,and/or paint sprayers. In addition, although portions of the descriptionare described in conjunction with an IoT device, the invention describedherein is not limited for use in conjunction with an IoT device, andrather, may instead be used with any wireless communications device thatenables the power tools described herein to function as describedherein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary walk-behind lawnmower 10.In the exemplary embodiment, lawnmower 10 is a self-propelled,walk-behind lawnmower that is used to cut vegetation. In the exemplaryembodiment, lawnmower 10 includes a cutter housing or deck 12 thatdefines a cavity (not shown) below it. A pair of front wheels 14 arecoupled to a forward side 16 of lawnmower 10, and a second pair of rearwheels 18 are coupled to an opposite rear side 17 of lawnmower 10. Acutting blade (not shown) is rotatably coupled to an internal combustionengine 20 such that the cutting blade is beneath deck 12. A steeringhandle 24 is coupled to deck 12 such that handle 24 extends upwardlyfrom deck 12. In the exemplary embodiment, lawnmower 10 includes anoptional collection bag 26 removably coupled to mower rear side 17.

In the exemplary embodiment, deck 12 is generally rectangular andincludes a pair of opposing sides 30 that extend between forward andrear sides 16 and 17, respectively. In other embodiments, deck 12 mayhave any other shape that enables lawnmower 10 to function as describedherein. Deck 12 also includes an upper surface 32 and an opposite innersurface (not shown). The deck inner surface defines a portion of thecutter housing and defines a cavity (not shown) that the cutting bladesare rotatably coupled within.

In the exemplary embodiment, the cutting blades are rotatably coupled tolawnmower 10 and rotate about an axis of rotation (not shown) that issubstantially vertical such that the blades rotate in generallyhorizontal cutting planes within the cutter housing cavity. The bladesmay be configured as either a single cutting element or as multiplecutting elements that each cut vegetation at the level of the cuttingplane.

Handle 24 is generally U-shaped and extends upwardly and rearward fromdeck rear side 17. Handle 24 enables a user who walks behind lawnmower10 to guide and manipulate lawnmower 10 during operation of lawnmower10. In the exemplary embodiment, handle 24 includes a pair ofvertically-oriented support members 40 and a generallyhorizontally-oriented support member 42 that extends laterally betweenmembers 40 and that forms a hand grip for the user.

In the exemplary embodiment, handle 24 supports several controls 50 forthe mower. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, lawnmower 10 isself-propelled and includes a drive clutch lever 56 that is coupled tohandle 24 to enable the user to selectively engage and disengage atransmission within the propulsion system. In addition, in the exemplaryembodiment, a throttle lever 58 is coupled to handle 24. Throttle lever58 enables a user to control and vary the engine speed. In addition, inthe exemplary embodiment, lawnmower 10 also includes a cutter systemclutching system (not shown) that enables a user to selectively startand stop blade rotation. In one embodiment, the cutter system clutchingsystem is similar to a known blade brake clutch (BBC) or a beltclutching pulley.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary internal combustion engineassembly 80 that may be used with lawnmower 10. FIG. 3 is a partialcutaway top view of the internal combustion engine assembly 80 with anintegrated device 82 installed in a recessed area 110. Engine assembly80 includes an integrated device 82 coupled thereto to monitor operatingdata or usage data as described in more detail below. In the exemplaryembodiment, integrated device 82 may include Internet of Things (IoT)connectivity device.

Although the integrated device 82 may be described in portions herein asbeing an IoT device, in alternative embodiments any other wirelessconnectivity or communication device that enables the power toolsdescribed herein to function as described herein may be used. Forexample, in one alternative embodiment, integrated device 82 does nottransmit data via a cellular or WiFi internet connection, but ratherintegrated device 82 maintains a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection whereinusage data is transmitted wirelessly to a remote device, to enable theremote device to utilize the data locally in an application on thedevice. The remote device application may utilize its internetconnection to share this usage data with a remote database and to enableIoT functionality. In another alternative embodiment, device 82 isdirectly connected to the internet via a cellular modem rather thanconnecting via Bluetooth.

In the exemplary embodiment, engine 20 includes a fuel tank 88 (shown inFIG. 3), an oil sump (not shown), a recoil starter assembly 84, an aircleaner assembly 86, and a muffler 89. An oil filler cap 90 providesaccess to the oil sump, and a fuel tank cap 92 provides access to fueltank 88. As shown in FIG. 2, the recoil starter assembly 84 includes apull handle 94 and recoil starter assembly 84 is coupled to engine 20against a top cover 98. A cover 100 is located under the top cover 98and is best shown in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, engine 20 is similar toan engine used with an HRR216VLA Rotary Mower commercially availablefrom American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The top cover 98 may include a removable panel 106 for accessing theintegrated device 82, as shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, theremovable panel 106 is stylized, such as a dot with semi-circlesradiating above it, to indicate that a wireless connectivity device maybe coupled therein and that lawnmower 10 is compatible with such adevice. Additionally, other areas of the lawnmower 10 may include astylized portion, such as a dot with semi-circles radiating above it, toindicate that a wireless connectivity device may be coupled therein andthat lawnmower 10 is compatible with such a device.

Recoil starter assembly handle 94 is connected to a starter rope (notshown) that enables a user to engage a starting mechanism (not shown) tostart engine 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the starter rope iscoupled to a pulley system that enables the rope to be pulled out andrecoil automatically within recoil starter assembly 84. Morespecifically, when the starter rope is pulled off the pulley and out ofthe engine, a recoil spring is stretched that recoils the rope onto thepulley when the user lets go of handle 94.

Pulling recoil starter assembly 84 causes a flywheel 108 to rotate witha crankshaft 111 within engine 20. Flywheel 108 is securely fixed tocrankshaft 111 and includes at least one magnetic portion 112 coupled tothe flywheel 108. More specifically, the magnetic portion 112 is coupledin close proximity to a radially outer edge 114 of the flywheel 108 toenable magnetic energy to be formed as flywheel 108 is rotated as shownin FIG. 3 and FIG. 11. When enough magnetic energy is formed, anignition module (not shown) ignites a voltage spark required forinternal combustion within engine 20.

In the exemplary embodiment, cover 100 is fabricated from a magneticallynon-permeable material, such as, but not limited to, a non-magneticmaterial such as plastic, and may be formed with a recessed area 110.Recessed area 110 is sized to receive the integrated device 82 therein,as shown in FIG. 3.

Recessed area 110, in the exemplary embodiment, is generally defined bya pair of side walls 120, and a radially inner wall 126 adjacent to theflywheel 108, as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the recessed area 110may have any other shape that enables the integrated device 82 and thelawnmower 10 to function as described herein. Moreover, in the exemplaryembodiment, the inner wall 126 is formed with a radius of curvature thatsubstantially complements a portion of the radially outer edge 114 ofthe flywheel 108. Moreover, the inner wall 126 of the recessed area 110may be thinner than other portions of the cover 100. As such, thecombination of the shape of the inner wall 126 and the reduced thicknessof inner wall 126 facilitates reducing an amount of clearance or spacebetween the integrated device 82 and the flywheel 108. Accordingly, andas explained in more detail below, the orientation of the integrateddevice 82 relative to the flywheel 108 facilitates enhancing andmaximizing the magnetic field strength from the magnetic portion 112.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the internal combustion engine assemblyshown in FIG. 2 with the top cover removed. The cover 100 surroundsvarious components of the internal combustion assembly 80, including theflywheel 108. The integrated device 82 is shown attached to an outersurface 102 of the cover 100. As described above, in the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the cover 100 is fabricated from amagnetically non-permeable material, such as plastic.

FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of a portion the internalcombustion engine assembly 80 with the integrated device 82 installed inan alternative location. In alternative embodiments, the cover 100 maybe made from a metallic material or other magnetically permeablematerial. In such embodiments, the integrated device may be mounted toan inner surface 104 of the cover 100 to avoid magnetic interference, asshown in FIG. 5. The integrated device 82 is removably coupled to theinner surface 104 using mechanical hardware, including for example, butnot limited to, mechanical fasteners such as screws, snaps, anchorbolts, studs, or threaded fasteners, or hook and loop material.Alternatively, any other coupling means may be used, including removableadhesives or epoxy that enables the integrated device 82 to be removablycoupled. In other alternative embodiments, the integrated device 82 maybe permanently mounted to the cover 100.

In the exemplary embodiment, the integrated device 82 includes a housing128 that is shaped and sized to be removably coupled to the cover. Theintegrated device 82 includes a printed circuit board 140 with a powergeneration portion 130, a power conditioner 132, a microcontroller 136and a wireless communication module 134, such as a Bluetooth module,contained within the housing 128. The microcontroller and the wirelesscommunications module 134 may be combined into one chip, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. The combined chip is referred to as a system-on-a-chip(SoC) and is known in the field. In the exemplary embodiment, thewireless communications module 134 of the integrated device 82 iscapable of communication to a remote device (not shown), such as, andfor example a phone, a laptop, a smart watch, a server system or a webserver.

Moreover, the wireless communication module 134, may include, forexample, a wired or wireless network adapter or a wireless datatransceiver for use with a mobile phone network (e.g., Global System forMobile communications (GSM), 3G, 4G, 5G, NB-IoT, LTE Cat-M1, or EC-GSM)or other mobile data network (e.g., Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WIMAX)). Alternatively, the wireless communicationmodule 134, may transmit the data using any wireless communicationprotocol that enables device 82 to function as described herein,including, but not limited to, long term evolution (LTE), Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, Z-wave, Zigbee, and/or 60 Ghz, for example. In otheralternative embodiments, the wireless communication module 134, maytransmit the data using other wireless communication protocolsincluding, but not limited to, radio, infrared, ultrasonic, and/ornear-field communication (NFC). In further embodiments, alternatively,or in addition, to enable a user to receive data, integrated device 82may be communicatively coupled to a hardware data link connection, suchas a LAN connection, a CAN connection, an AUX connection, and/or a USBconnection.

Power generation portion 130 harvests energy from the magnetic portion112 of the flywheel 108 during engine operations. More specifically, asflywheel 108 and magnetic portion 112 are rotated during engineoperation, a time variable magnetic field is present around thecircumference of flywheel 108. Moreover, rotation of flywheel 108 causesmagnetic portion 112 to rotate past the power generation portion 130,and the changing magnetic field induces a voltage in the powergeneration portion 130. More specifically, the relative location betweenpower generation portion 130 and flywheel 108 facilitates integrateddevice 82 being subjected to the maximum available transient change inmagnetic field for lawnmower 10, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 11.

The voltage induced in power generation portion 130 powers otherelectronics coupled to a printed circuit board 140 of the integrateddevice 82 without the use of a supplemental battery. Because of theflywheel 108 construction, power is generated in bursts when themagnetic portion 112 passes the integrated device 82. Power conditioner132 facilitates rectifying the harvested energy and maintaining a usablevoltage. The power conditioner 132 may be comprised of a capacitor, arectifier, and a voltage regulator. Because the integrated device 82 isonly powered when engine 20 is operating, no additional sensors arecoupled to lawnmower 10 to determine when the engine 20 is operating.The microcontroller 136 is known in the field and may be used measure,store, and/or maintain a log of usage-based data or operating data,including a log of operating hours. Moreover, the microcontroller 136stores the usage data in non-volatile memory periodically, or whenengine 20 is being shut down. The wireless communications module 134 isknown, and transmits or broadcasts usage data to a remote device (notshown) In other embodiments, the microcontroller 136 may also, or in thealternative, measure engine speed, interpret sensor data, and/or storeoperating data. In further embodiments, the microcontroller 136 mayalso, or in the alternative, measure acceleration, measure angulardisplacement, and/or measure angular acceleration associated with engine20. In alternative embodiments, an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope mayalso be coupled within the integrated device 82.

During operation, usage-based or operating data is transmitted fromlawnmower 10 to a remote device, such as a mobile device, or to acloud-based storage system. The combination of the construction of thecover 100 and the relative proximity of components on lawnmower 10,enables the integrated device 82 to operate, be energized, and gatherusage data without a supplemental battery being coupled to theintegrated device 82. Moreover, because the integrated device 82 onlyoperates when the engine 20 is operating, no additional sensors,including accelerometers, are required to determine operation of theengine 20.

It should be noted that although the integrated device 82 describedherein as being coupled adjacent to flywheel 108, alternatively,integrated device 82 may be coupled adjacent to any rotating componentthat includes an attached magnet and/or a rotating magnetic field. Therotating component may be part of a powered device, such as a motorshaft, or part of a non-powered, passively rotating device, such as ashaft, spindle, or wheel. For example, in alternative embodiments,integrated device 82 may be coupled adjacent to an induction motor, arotating shaft, and/or a magnetic sphere. Moreover, in other alternativeembodiments, integrated device 82 may be coupled in a position toreceive a magnetic field generated from a non-permanent magnet source,such as for example, an electromagnet, and/or an electromagnetic fieldsource such as a coil winding, an armature, or a stator winding that ispart of the engine 20.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, the integrated device 82 includesa printed circuit board 140. A power generation portion 130 (shown inFIG. 6), is integrated with the printed circuit board 140 which includesa plurality of electronic components, such as, for example, the powerconditioner 132, the microcontroller 136, and the wirelesscommunications module 134, also shown in FIG. 6. More specifically,because of the orientation of the printed circuit board 140, only thepower generation portion 130 is adjacent to the flywheel 108. The powerconditioner 132, the microcontroller 136 and the wireless communicationsmodule 134 are a distance above or below flywheel 108. It may bedesirable to place the electronic components above the flywheel for lessexposure to heat from the engine, as shown in FIG. 11. Additionally, theelectronic components may be placed on the opposite side of the printedcircuit board 140 away from the flywheel 108.

Power generation portion 130 may have any shape and includes a tracewinding pattern 138 which enables it to harvest energy to power othercomponents on the integrated device 82 to function as described herein.Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, power generation portion 130 isdefined by multiple electrically conductive layers 144 that aresubstantially planar. Embedding the trace winding pattern 138 to mimic awound wire coil is known in the industry. The trace winding pattern 138shown in FIG. 6 may vary; however, the wound trace of the trace windingpattern 138 may be 0.15 mm wide and include a gap of 0.15 mm betweeneach trace. The trace winding pattern 138 in each of the multipleelectrically conductive layers 144 are connected. The layers/trace areconnected to each other by a feature called a “via” (not shown) which isa drilled hole that is copper plated and connects to the trace windingpattern 138 of each of the multiple electrically conductive layers 144.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the integrated device shown in FIG. 6with a pole piece 142 installed. Power generation portion 130 mayinclude the pole piece 142, shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 to direct andconcentrate the magnetic field passing through the power generationportion 130. For example, if the power generation portion 130 cannotharvest enough energy from the passing magnetic field, the pole piece isinstalled to act as a magnetic flux concentrator to gather more energy.The pole piece 142 is shown installed in the vertical position in FIG.7; however, it may also be installed in the horizontal position. Theintegrated device 82 is mounted such that the primary flat plane of thepole piece 142 is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the flywheel108. Additionally, the pole piece 142 may be installed into an openingin the printed circuit board, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The opening 146may include a bushing (not shown) to secure a tighter fit and protectthe printed circuit board 140. The pole piece 142 is manufactured usinga soft magnetic material such as iron or soft magnetic powdered metal inorder to maximize the magnetic performance.

FIG. 8 is partial cutaway view of the power generation portion 130 ofthe integrated device 82 showing copper embedded multiple electricallyconductive layers 144. The multiple copper layers may be embedded withprinted circuit board 140 while maintaining the overall width of theprinted circuit board, shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. The printed circuitboard 140 includes multiple electrically conductive layers 144, such assix total layers as shown in FIG. 8. The thickness of the copper layersmay be thicker on the outside layers, such as 0.070 mm. The insidecopper layers may be thinner, such as 0.035 mm thick. The differingthickness between the outside copper layers and inside cooper layers andorientation is shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the copper layers may allbe the same thickness.

In the exemplary embodiment, power generation portion 130 is part of theprinted circuit board 140 of the integrated device 82. In alternativeembodiments, due to space constraints for example, power generationportion 130 may have any other shape, such as square or rectangular,that enables the integrated device 82 to function as described herein.Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, the power generation portion 130is defined by multiple electrically conductive layers 144, such as sixthat are substantially planar. In alternative embodiments, powergeneration portion 130 may include multiple electrically conductivelayers 144 that have a non-planar profile. For example, power generationportion 130 may be formed with an arcuate profile that is curved tosubstantially match a curvature of an outer surface of flywheel 108.

Alternatively, the multiple electrically conductive layers 144 may bestacked to create a portion of the printed circuit 140 that is thickeras shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. Furthermore, although each trace windingpattern 138 is illustrated as being generally square, the trace patternsmay be formed in any other shape that enables the integrated device 82to function as described herein.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternative integrated device that may beused with the lawnmower shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 9 depicts theintegrated device 82 with a less compact design where the powergeneration portion 130 is not overlapping with the electroniccomponents, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the power generation portion 130 of theintegrated device shown 82 in FIG. 9 with a pole piece installed. Thepower generation portion 130 of the printed circuit board 140 includesmultiple electrically conductive layers 144 which are stacked. The polepiece 142 is shown in the horizontal position in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is a perspective schematic view of a portion of the integrateddevice 82 that may be used with lawnmower 10 (shown in FIG. 1). In theexemplary embodiments of FIG. 11, the integrated device 82 is coupled toengine 20 to monitor operating data or usage data of engine 20 asdescribed herein. In each embodiment, the orientation of the integrateddevice relative to flywheel 108 facilitates enhancing and maximizing themagnetic field strength from the magnetic portion 112.

FIG. 12 is a perspective schematic view of a portion of an ignition coilassembly 250 that may be used with internal combustion engine assembly80 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). Within ignition coil assembly 250, thepower generation portion 130 of the integrated device 82 is coupled toan ignition coil 276. More specifically, ignition coil assembly 250,includes a pair of stator legs 266 and 268 that extend outward from amain body portion 270. A primary magnetic circuit leg member 274 alsoextends outward from stator main body portion 270 such that the primarymagnetic circuit leg member 274 is substantially centered between statorlegs 266 and 268. The ignition coil 276 is wound about magnetic circuitleg member 274.

The ignition coil assembly 250 includes the power generation portion 130of the integrated device 82 coupled to the ignition coil 276, as shownin FIG. 12. Moreover, the remainder of the printed circuit board 140 ofthe integrated device 82 may extend above or below the power generationportion 130. In alternative embodiments, the ignition coil assembly 250may have any other configuration or shape that enables it to function asdescribed herein.

In another embodiment, the integrated device 82 may be coupled to asupplemental stator bar 304 of an alternative ignition coil assembly 252as shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a perspective schematic view of aportion of the alternative integrated ignition coil assembly 252 thatmay be used with the internal combustion engine assembly 80. Forexample, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, a power generation portion130 of the integrated device 82 is coupled to the supplemental statorbar 304 that extends outward from one of stator legs 266 or 268, ratherthan the power generation portion 130 being coupled to the ignition coil276, as shown in FIG. 12. In each embodiment, the power generationportion 130, harvests energy only during engine operations. The voltageinduced in the power generation portion 130 powers the wirelesscommunications module 134 and other electronics coupled to theintegrated device 82 thereto without the use of a supplemental battery.

The above-described lawnmower uses an internal combustion engine coupledto an integrated device that is cost-effective to manufacture andassemble, and that facilitates reducing the number of components, andthe complexity of components necessary to monitor usage data associatedwith the internal combustion engine. Moreover, the integrated devicedescribed herein does not receive power primarily from a battery.Furthermore, the integrated device described herein could be flexibleand adaptable for use with power tools and power equipment other thanlawnmowers that includes an internal combustion engine.

Exemplary embodiments of power tools and more specifically, mowerarchitecture are described above in detail. Although the mowerarchitecture are herein described and illustrated in association with awalk-behind lawnmower, the invention is also intended for use oncommercial walk-behind mowers, power tools and power equipment thatinclude an internal combustion engine. Moreover, it should also be notedthat the components of the invention are not limited to the specificembodiments described herein, but rather, aspects of each component maybe utilized independently and separately from other components andmethods of assembly described herein.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power tool comprising: an internal combustionengine comprising a flywheel with a magnetic portion; an integrateddevice comprising a printed circuit board with a wireless communicationsmodule, a power conditioner and a power generation portion; and thepower generation portion is adjacent to the internal combustion enginesuch that the integrated device generates power wirelessly from theflywheel when the internal combustion engine is operating.
 2. A powertool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the integrated device is notprimarily powered by a battery.
 3. A power tool in accordance with claim1 wherein the wireless communications module comprises at least one of:a sensor for at least one of measuring acceleration, measuring angulardisplacement, and measuring angular acceleration; a microcontroller forat least one of measuring operating time, measuring engine speed,interpreting sensor data, storing operating time, storing operatingdata, and maintaining a log of operating hours; and a wirelessconnectivity device for broadcasting operating data gathered from theinternal combustion engine.
 4. A power tool in accordance with claim 3,wherein the wireless connectivity device broadcasts operating data to aremote device.
 5. A power tool in accordance with claim 4 wherein theremote device provides usage-based notifications.
 6. A power tool inaccordance with claim 1 wherein the power generation portion of theprinted circuit board includes multiple electrically conductive layersdesigned with a trace winding pattern.
 7. A power tool in accordancewith claim 6 wherein the trace winding pattern of the multipleelectrically conductive layers are connected.
 8. A power tool inaccordance with claim 6 wherein the power generation portion includes apole piece to direct and concentrate the magnetic field passing throughthe power generation portion.
 9. A power tool in accordance with claim 1wherein the power conditioner maintains a usable voltage from the powergeneration portion as the flywheel rotates.
 10. A power tool inaccordance with claim 1 wherein the integrated device is mounted to acover of the internal combustion engine in close proximity to themagnetic field source.
 11. An engine assembly comprising: an internalcombustion engine comprising a flywheel with a magnetic portion; and anignition coil assembly comprising an integrated device coupled theretowherein the integrated device receives power wirelessly from theinternal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine isoperating.
 12. An engine assembly in accordance with claim 11 whereinthe integrated device includes a printed circuit board comprising: apower generation portion configured to harvest energy from the movementof the flywheel; a power conditioner configured to maintain a usablevoltage for the integrated device as the flywheel rotates; amicrocontroller for at least one of measuring operating time, measuringengine speed, interpreting sensor data, storing operating time, storingoperating data, and maintaining a log of operating hours; and a wirelesscommunications module configured to broadcast operating data.
 13. Anengine assembly in accordance with claim 11 wherein the integrateddevice is not primarily powered by a battery.
 14. An engine assembly inaccordance with claim 11 wherein the power generation portion of theprinted circuit board includes multiple electrically conductive layersdesigned with a trace winding pattern.
 15. An engine assembly inaccordance with claim 11 wherein the integrated device is coupled to anignition coil of the ignition coil assembly.
 16. An engine assembly inaccordance with claim 11 wherein the integrated device is coupled to asupplemental stator bar of the ignition coil assembly.
 17. An engineassembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein the wireless communicationmodule broadcasts operating data to a remote device.
 18. A power toolcomprising: an internal combustion engine assembly comprising a rotatingcomponent and a source of a magnetic field; and an integrated devicecoupled to an inner surface of a cover comprising a printed circuitboard with a power generation portion configured to harvest energywirelessly from the source of magnetic field only when the internalcombustion engine assembly is operating.
 19. A power tool in accordancewith claim 18 wherein the integrated device includes a pole pieceattached to the printed circuit board to direct and concentrate themagnetic field passing through the power generation portion.
 20. A powertool in accordance with claim 18 wherein said rotating componentcomprises at least one of a flywheel, a rotating shaft, a spindle, and awheel.